Randy Kluth
Well-Known Member
Hey, Brakelite/Backlit/Brakelite2 stop changing your name, LoL.
This is the primary difference between my eschatology and SDA's. I do think mainline Christianity headed by the Catholic church will play a great part for evil in seeking to have the true saints of God murdered during the end-times, but the focus on Catholicism being the center of the Antichrist's power is incorrect, at least according to what the Spirit has been revealing. That theory was popular in centuries past, but it is becoming apparent now over the last 30 years or so in particular that Islam fits the Biblical narrative better, and Islam is actually more political than it is religious when it comes to its influence in the earth.
I couldn't sign off that the Spirit is saying all roads still lead to Rome. Will Rome play a part? Yes and a gruesome one. But what the Spirit is saying to the churches doesn't suggest that Rome will be the seat of the Antichrist's power.
You think you know what the "Spirit is saying" with regard to who the Antichrist is and where he will be located? That sounds a little bit too much for me, though it's certainly possible the Lord can show us things when He wants to.
I'm not convinced Islam has the power to rule the world at this point, and doesn't look like it ever will. Is it a major power on earth? Definitely. It's always been considered an "Antichrist" by Christianity. But in its history, its adventurism always tends to end up at the Battle of Tours.
I think there is more than ample evidence that Europe will be the heart of the Antichristian Empire. Where better to try to destroy Christianity than from within, which is where the battle has been taking place since the Enlightenment.
That and the the fact Dan 2 and 7 squarely place theh final Kingdom, opposing God's Kingdom, to be Rome. In Dan 9 Rome rises against the city and the sanctuary. In Dan 12 Michael rises to protect Israel at the same time Rome rises. Rome crucified Jesus and murdered many of the apostles. And in Dan 17 there are several tell-tale clues about what "city" the prophecy is speaking of with respect to "Mystery Babylon."
Gog rises from the Caucuses region of E. Europe, towards Asia. The Roman Church was the beginning of apostasy within the Church itself.
Islam is significant inasmuch as the OT Prophets spoke of the dangers of Israel's "neighbors." Islam is the modern equivalent of the "dangerous neighbor." But it is not, I think, powerful enough to be the Antichrist. I think we're seeing a great apostasy within traditional European Christianity, and we've seen some of the greatest Antichrists arise out of Europe, Napoleon, Hitler, and Stalin.
The Beast rises out of the sea, which is more associated with Europe, than with the Middle East. I don't think you can speak for "what the Spirit is saying to the churches," except you can say this is what these churches *believe* the Spirit is saying to them.
I will say this much: The Beast will hate the Harlot, which I believe is Rome, and will burn her. And so, the Antichrist will hate the city itself within his empire called "Rome." He will likely hate the Catholic Religion, after he is done using it. Just my opinion, and 2 cents.